Multiple connector plug



Aug. 7, 1951 'r. STANLEY MULTIPLE CONNECTOR PLUG Filed March 5, 1949 INvENTOR, \A/lLL/AM T STANLEY,

fiTORNE Patented Aug. 7, 195T UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a multiple connector plug of that type which has on one side a pair of spaced prongs for interconnection with a re ceptacle or outlet device of some nature, and has presented on other faces receiving sockets for connections with electrical devices such as cord plugs and the like. A primary object of the invention is to provide an exceedingly simple structure made out of a minimum number of parts which will be durable and which will insure positive electric connections over long periods of time, and particularly which will maintain an elastic interconnection between inserted members and those members in the plug itself carrying current.

A still further primary object of the invention is to provide an interconnecting extending prong which will retain its elasticity throughout the life of the plug by reason of a fixed spacing between certain portions of the plug, such spacing being unaffected by continued usage of the device as in respect to connecting and disconnecting the plug from a receptacle.

These and many other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those versed in the art in the following description of one particular form of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation from the prong side of a plug embodying the invention;

Fig. 2, a side elevation of the plug;

Fig. 3, a bottom plan view;

Fig. 4, a side elevation and partial section of the plug from that side as may be rotated ninety degrees from the elevation shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5, a transverse section on the line 5--5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6, an inside elevational view of one of the segments forming the plug;

Fig. 7, a transverse section on the line 1-1 in Fig. 6; and i Fig. 8, a view in elevation of one of the electric conducting and prong members.

Referring to the drawing inwhich like charactors of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, the plug is composed primarily of two identical segments l0 and II, between which are maintained in spaced relation a pair of conductors generally designated by the numeral l2 and as illustrated in Fig. 8; and a single interconnecting bolt l3.

Reference is made specifically to Fig. 6 wherein the segment In is shown in elevation from the inside face. A description of this segment applies equally to the segment II, and therefore the specific references to the various elements of the segment 10 will be sufiicient to describe both segments l0 and II.

On the inside face M of the segment l0, Fig. 6, there are provided two generally parallel and spaced apart slots [5 and 16. Each of these slots [5 and I6 is interrupted intermediate the ends thereof. by a block I! and [B respectively extending transversely on those slots 15 and I6, and having outwardly directed rounded end surfaces l9 and 20 respectively. Arcuate channels 2| and 22 extend around these rounded noses of the blocks I! and I8 to interconnect the channels or slots l5 and It respectively on opposite sides of those blocks. These channels 2! and 22 lie outside of the boundary edges 23 and 24 of the slots [5 and 16.

On the relatively top sides of these blocks I! and I8, Fig. 6, there is provided in each instance a notch 25 and 26 entering therein immediately adjacent the inner edges 27 and 28 of the slots 15 and I6. Immediately under the blocks I1 and [8, the segment ID has provided therein passageways 29 and 38 extending from the respective slots l5 and I6 and passing through the segment to open externally thereof on the relatively back side as viewed in Fig. 6. As indicated in Fig. 5, the outer end openings of these lateral passageways 29 and 30 are restricted somewhat by lips 3| and 32.

The metallic conductor member 12 is formed to have a major length 33, one end of which is folded around on itself by a tongue 34 to form the externally extending connecting prong designated by the numeral 35. The length 33 at that zone back of the end of the tongue 36 is formed into an arcuate section 36 to have a contour to permit it to fit around rather closely in the channel 2! of the segment Ill. Then the length 33 is continued in a straight manner below the arcuate section 36 substantially within the plane of the length 33 above that section 3'6 to terminate by a lower bend portion 46 from which a tongue 38 is folded back upwardly but angularly outwardly from the length 33.

A bar 39 is placed to extend by equal length transversely of the member 12 and is secured to that member [2 by any suitable means, such as by a rivet 4B. The ends of the bar 39 are folded around to present tongues 4| and 42 extending gngiglgrly outwardly from the inner face of the The member I2 is placed edgewise in the slot I5 to have the arcuate section 3E1 engaged in the channel 2|. The transverse width of the member I2, that is the length 33 thereof is made to be such that half of that width will extend into the slot I5 and the other half extend outwardly therefrom. The tongue portion 42 of the bar 39 is extended into the passageway 29, and the fold 43 between the tongue 42 and the bar 39 is spaced inwardly slightly from the lip 3i, Fig. 5, so that the straight portion of the bar 39 fits snugly against the side wall of that passageway 29, while the tongue 42 extends angularly thereacross to have its free end in substantial contact with the opposite side. The lower end portion of the length 33 below the section 36 extends downwardly in the slot 55 in substantial contact with the edge wall 23 to have the lower end bend 46 positioned inward-1y or upwardly from the opening of that slot, in spaced relation from the overhanging lip 5!, to have the tongue 38 extend upwardly and angularly across the slot l5 into substantial contact with the opposite side wall 21. It is to be noted that the lower free end of the tongue 34 is engaged snugly in the notch 25 and there maintained by reason of the fact that the member I2 is held against longitudinal travel by reason of the arcuate section 36 being engaged within the channel 211. The upper end of the member l2 has its fold line 4'! between the length 33 and the tongue 34 presented at a substantial distance from the face 48 of the segment ID. This length is made to be more or less standardized in order that the prong may be received within the standard plugs or receptacles (not shown).

It is further to be noted that by reason of the fact that the lower end of the tongue 34 is fixed in the notch in spaced relation from the length 33 immediately above the block ii, there is always a spacing maintained in that zone so that the upper portion of the prong, composed of the length 33 and the tongue 34, particularly adjacent the fold or bend line 41, may be compressed one toward the other relatively to afiord the compressive yielding electrical contact desired, and yet when that connection is broken by withdrawal of the prong from the receptacle, the two sides of the prong will promptly spring apart. In other words there can not become a permanent set whereby the tongue 34 eventually comes into contact with and remains in contact with the length 33.

The segment H is assembled to have its innerface brought up against the innerface of the segment Ill, it being understood of course that a second element I2 is fitted into the slot It in exactly the same manner as was the member E2 in the slot IS. The two members l2 will then be engaged correspondingly in the counter parts provided in the segment II, and the assembly is then completed by passing the bolt l3 through the segments II and H] to have that bolt pulled up by engaging with a nut 49. It it therefore to be seen that there are no right and left-hand parts, the two members [2 employed in the assembly being identical, and the two segments Ill and II also being identical one with the other. This assembly gives the device three different connecting faces so that it becomes in effect a three-way connector plug.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in the one particular form in minute detail, it is obvious that structural changes may be employed 'without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I therefore do not desire to be limited to that precise form beyond the limitations which may be imposed by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a multiple connector plug, a pair of symmetrical segments having inter-matching faces; each of said faces having longitudinal, laterally spaced apart slots thereacross; a block extending across each slot from adjacent edges thereof, and intermediate the slot ends, each of said slots having an arcuate channel extending around said blocks therein to afford communication between the upper and lower portions of the slot as set off by said block; an electrical ribbon-like conductor in each of said slots, having an arcuate section intermediate its end extending through said channel as a means of holding the conductor against longitudinal travel in its slot, said conductor extending from one end of the slot a distance beyond said segments; a tongue turned back from the outer end of the conductor back into the sameslot by a free end in spaced relation from the conductor; means retaining said segments together with said faces in compressive matched engagement to retain said conductors within their respective slots, said segments having matching lateral passageways from each of said slots below said blocks; and a cross-bar secured to each of said conductors below its said arcuate section to extend into said passageways; and means in each of said slots for holding said tongue free ends fixed in said spaced relation.

2. In a multiple connector plug, a pair of symmetrical segments having inter-matching faces; each of said faces having longitudinal, laterally spaced apart slots thereacross; a block extending across each slot from adjacent edges thereof, and intermediate'the 'slot ends, each of said slots having an arcuate channel extending around said blocks therein to afford communication between the upper and lower portions of the slot as set off by said block; an electrical ribbon-like condu'ctorin each of said slots, havingan arcuate section intermediate its end eX- tending through said channel as a means of holding the conductor against longitudinal "travel in its slot, said conductor extending from one end of the slot a distance beyond said segments; a tongue turned back from the outer end or the conductor back into the same slot by a free end in spaced relation from the conductor; means retaining said segments together with said faces in compressive matched engagement to retain said conductors within their respective slots, said segments having matching lateral passageways from each of said slots below said blocks; and a cross-bar secured to each of said conductors below its said arcuate section to exconductor in each of said longitudinal channels having an arcuate section extending through the arcuate channel to prevent longitudinal movement of said conductor; each of said conductors having a length extending from said arcuate section,'through the channel and longitudinally away from said plug in one direction and a tongue bent back on said length from the outer end thereof, the free end of said tongue reentering the same longitudinal channel from which its length extended; said tongue and said length having an elastic preformed set yieldingly urging one away from the other; each of said blocks having a notch adjacent the side wall of its longitudinal channel on the side opposite its arcuate channel, said notch being formed to receive the free end of the tongue and maintain it in spaced apart relation from the conductor length, whereby when the prong formed by said length and said tongue is compressed in use, permanent deformation is prevented.

4. An electrical connector plug comprising a body having a pair of spaced slots therein; a block formed in the body across and intermediate the ends of each of said slots; said body having outwardly bowing arcuate channels extending around opposite sides of said blocks to communicate by their ends with said slots; each of said blocks having a notch at its junction with the inner edges of its respective slot; a pair of prongs, each comprising a length of metal having an intermediate portion fitting in said arcuate channel, a tongue extending with a substantially straight length extending therefrom to traverse the length of that portion of said slot from said channel and to extend a distance from the plug; a second length of said metal folded over at a bend remote from the plug and carried back in spaced relation from the first length to traverse said slot to said block and enter by its end into said notch; said two lengths being spaced apart across said block with a clear, open space between the junction of said intermediate portion with said first length and the end portion of the second length at the block face across the slot.

WILLIAM T. STANLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,628,399 Frankel May 10, 1927 1,749,364 Weisberg -1 Mar. 4, 1930 1,941,488 Propp Jan. 2, 1934 2,183,016 Gilbert Dec. 12, 1939 

